CAMRA launches search for best designed pubs

The awards are held in association with public body Historic England and recognise high standards of architecture in the conservation and renovation of existing pubs along with the construction of new ones.

Best-looking pubs

Organiser of the awards Sean Murphy explained they are looking to find the best pub interiors and exteriors Great Britain has to offer.

He said: “The CAMRA National Pub Design Awards competition is open to all pubs in the UK, and buildings can be nominated by their owners, landlords, local CAMRA branch members or anybody else that thinks the pub deserves to win."

Murphy urged entrants to bear in mind they may have to provide additional plans and photographs of the building during the judging process so the licensee should be aware and approve of the entry.

Last year’s winners include a once-derelict gin palace at the Dun Cow in Sunderland; the Bevy estate pub in Brighton, which was rebuilt with the efforts of local residents; a magistrates’ court and police cell in the Lake District, which was converted into a pub; and a new stylish pub in North Devon.

Click here​ to see what last year's winners looked like.

Five categories

The competition includes five categories:

• New Build category, which is for entirely new-built pubs. This can include buildings that have hints of its past or be entirely modern.
• Refurbishment category, which can be from a complete gutting of the pub to enhancing what is already there. The refurbishment should be appropriate to the pub and not be an excuse to use uniform furnishings to brand the pub with brewery or pub company images.
• Conversion to Pub Use is where an existing building is converted to be used as a pub. Judging is based on the taste and restraint used inside and outside of the pub.
• CAMRA/Historic England award is usually given for work conserving what is good in the pub and ensuring its future for generations of customers. The award is sponsored by Historic England.
• Joe Goodwin Award is named after the late CAMRA chair and is reserved for outstanding refurbished 'street-corner' locals.

To enter the competition, see: www.camra.org.uk/pub-design-awards-online-entry​.

All work on each entry should have been completed between 1 January and 13 December 2015 and the closing date for entries is 31 August 2016.

CAMRA also runs a Pub of the Year Award​, which was won by a Gloucestershire pub last year.